Apparatus for cleaning, fumigating, etc.



June 5, 1934.`

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING, FUMIGATING, ETC

INVENTR.

A TTORNEY F. RIEBEL, JR 1,961,167

June 5, 1934-v F. RIEBEL, JR

A APPARTUS FOR CLEANING, FUMIGATING, ETC

Filed April 7, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented `une 5, 1934 PATENTOFFICES APPARATUS FOR CLEANING, FUNIIGATING, ETC.

Frederick Riebel, Jr., Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Air Way ElectricAppliance Corporation, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation' of DelawareApplication April 7, 1928, Serial No. 268,132

20 Claims.

The present improvements have more particular regard to the provision ofan apparatus which may be attached to or incorporated in the structureof a so-called portable vacuum cleaner whereby a current or blast of airdischarged from such cleaner may be utilized to disseminate through aroom or discharge onto articles of furniture and the like a suitablepowdered or crystalline fumigating material, i. e., one for destroyinginsects and vermin.

One principal object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for theuse indicated which may be readily attached to existing types ofportable vacuum cleaners. Another object is to provide an apparatuswhich is simple and easily adjustable and will enable the operatorreadily to vary. the amount of material discharged or disseminated.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and.particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and thefollowing description setting forth in detail certain mechanismembodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, butone of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the inventionmay be used.

In said annexed drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation with parts appearing in section of onestandard type of portable Vacuum cleaner wherein the present improvedapparatus has been incorporated; Fig. 2 is a central vertical section ofthe apparatus by itself and on a somewhat larger scale than in Fig. 1;Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectionlooking upwardly, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 1-4, Fig. 2; Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views of variouscomponent parts of the apparatus; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of theapparatus as applied to another type of portable cleaner from that shownin Fig. 1; and Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but showing thedevice applied to still another type of cleaner.

The general construction of the portable cleaner illustrated inFig. lissubstantially the same as that shown and describedin U. S. LettersPatent Re. No..16,244`to D. B. Replogle, dated December 15, 1925. Suchcleanenwhich is of the manually portable type, comprises a suctionchamber l, a fan chamber 2 anda tubular handle 3, arranged in the orderindicated, such suction chamber and handle being aligned with each otherand a suitable valve 4 being interposed (Cl. ll=3--124=) therebetweenwhereby the fan casing'may be connected with said suction chamber orhandle as desired. Extending downwardly and rearwardly from the fanchamber is a motor 5 whereby the fan 6 in said chamber is rotated todraw 60 in the air and discharge the samev through a discharge`connection '7.

Ordinarily when the device or apparatus is being used strictly as acleaner, a dust collecting bag (not shown) will be attached to such fandischarge connection 7 to receive and retain the dust that is drawn inthrough the nozzle or'equivalent implement attached tothe lower end ofthe suction chamber 1 o r to the outer'end ofithe handle 3 throughIthe'medium of a exible hose, as 70 will be readily understood.

In utilizing the foregoing apparatus for fumigating purposes, the valve4 will be properly turned to connect fan chamber 2 with the handle 3 anda suitable discharge nozzle 8 will be connected 75 through the medium ofa flexible hose 9 with the: fan chamber outlet 7. It will accordingly be-seen that, as indicated by the ,arrows in Fig. 1, the air will be drawnin through the handle to the fan chamber and thence discharged throughsuch hose 9 and nozzle 8.

The device of present interest comprises as its principal element acontainer 10 for ,the ma.

forms the bottom "of the space in which the l aforesaid material isplaced, an opening 13 in the top of the container, lsuch opening beingnormally closed by a movable plate 14, being provided for filling suchspace.

Rotatably journaled as well as recipro'cably 100 movable in a bearing 15in the upp'er end of the container and in a bracket 16 lying betweensuch partition 12 and the bottom of the container is a' tubular spindle17, the bore of which provides a free passage from the exterior of thecontainer V to a point just above the opening 18 in the bottom thereofthrough which the material is designed to be discharged. Actually suchspindle 1'7 is intended merely to be oscillated yin the bearing thusprovided incidentally to its reciprocation,

as will be presently described, and such reciprocation serves merely toadjust the position of a fluted conical distributor 20 that is in turnrotatably mounted on said spindle so as to lie within the opening 21 inpartition 12. Depending upon the vertical position of the spindle, thedistrib- -utor will leave clear a larger or smaller annular spacebetween the edge of such opening and its own iluted conical surface.Furthermore, adjustment of the spindle is accomplished by means of a cam22 that is xedly secured to its upper end, said cam being provided witha radial handle 23 (see Fig. 6) and co-operating with a fixed cam 24that is integral with the bearing 15. Each such cam, it will beobserved, (see Fig. 7) has two complementary cam faces and furthermoreeach such face in the case of the xed cam has a plurality of steps (twoas shown) so that by appropriately rotating handle 23, the shaft 17 maybe caused to assume a corresponding number of positions longitudinallyof its axis. A compression spring 25 is interposed between the lower endof bearing 15 and a stop washer 26 that is fixed to the spindle at anintermediate point within the container, such spring serving normally topull the spindle downwardly so that the upper cam will remain inengagement with selected faces of the lower cam.

Transversely reciprocably mounted in the side wall of the container 10at a point below partition 12 is a plunger 30, said plunger beingnormally pressed outwardly by a spring 31 and a lever 32 being connectedwith its outer end whereby it may be pressed inwardly by the operatorsthumb when grasping the handle 3 of the vacuum cleaner at a pointadjacent sleeve 11 by which container 10 is secured to the outer end ofsaid handle, as previously described. The inner end of the plunger 30 isconnected by means of a link 33 with a pin 34 that is xed to andprojects downwardly from the lower face of conical distributor 20, suchpin being long enough to permit said distributor to be verticallyadjusted without causing the disengagement of the lever.

From the foregoing description the operation of the device should bereadily understood. When the motor 5 is set running, a current of airwill be drawn through handle 3 and then discharged from the fan casingthroughl the nozzle 8. In this condition the lever 32 is actuated tooscilla-te the distributor 20 with the result that the powdered orgranular material in the upper portion of container 10 is gradually fedthrough the opening 21 in partition l2 and thence discharged throughopening 18 into such current of air, by which it is carried along anddischarged through nozzle 8, as will be readily understood. Where thematerial is in finely powdered condition, the space between 'thedistributor and the edge of opening 21 will of course be desirablynarrower than where a coarser crystalline material is employed, and itis for this purpose that the vertical adjustment of the tubular shaft 17is provided. Irrespective of the position of the latter, the distributorremains freely oscillatory under the impulse of lever 32 which isconveniently located adjacent the hand of the operator by which thehandle 3 would naturally be grasped, the operators other hand being freeto hold the nozzle 8 and direct the blast of air carrying thefumigatl,ing material wherever desired.

As a result of the opening through spindle 17, a part of the current ofairthat is drawn through handle 3 is diawn through such opening in theform of a jet, which insures the thorough dis- 'end of such sleeve.

semination of the powdered material in the main current to which it isthus supplied. Such jet, furthermore, is in operation all the time tokeep the lower chamber of the device clear of crystals or powder, byinjecting'them into sleeve 1l. A screen lla is desirably placed in theopen .end of said sleeve in order to prevent any such material fromescaping and dropping onto the floor. A buttery valve 11b may also beemployed at this point to restrict the entrance of air through suchsleeve and correspondingly increase the effectiveness of the jet.

Instead of attaching the container 10 on the outer end of handle 3, itcould of course be mounted on the discharge connection 7 leading fromfan casing 2. In fact such location will be necessary where as inanother familiar type of portable vacuum cleaner, illustrated in Fig. 9,the handle 35 is solid and serves merely to manipulate the cleaner, i.e., at no time forms an air conduit. In such case the sleeve 11 ismounted on the outlet or discharge connection 36 and hose 9 carryingnozzle 8 is connected to the other Since the container, when located inthis manner, does not present the lever 32 conveniently to the hand ofthe operator, a cord 37, or equivalent means, will be connected withsaid lever 32 and carried through a ring 38 adjacent the free end ofhandle 35.

In Fig. 10 is illustrated still another type of vacuum cleaner in whichprovision exists for attaching the device of present interest directlyonto the front of the main casing 40 of the cleaner, where a normallyclosed air intake opening 4l exists. The hose 9, as before, is attachedto the fan discharge 42, and a cord 43 (like cord 37) serves to controlthe device. The manner of using the device will be obvious.

It will be understood that where the word portable is used in the claimsherein, reference is had to the ordinary domestic type vacuum cleanerused in largest quantities in dwelling houses although also used in manyinstances in ofiice buildings; the type that may be moved around over arug or the like during cleaning operations.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as myinvention:-

1. In an apparatus for dusting or dry spraying comminuted insecticidematerial for demothing furniture and the like, the combination with adomestic type vacuum cleaner including a fan and an air passage leadingto and from said fan, of means for feeding said material in solid forminto said air passage and into the air stream passing therethroughwithout obstructing the air ow.

2. In an apparatus for dusting or dry spraying comminuted insecticidematerial for demothing furniture and the like, the combination with adomestic type vacuum cleaner including a fan and an air passage leadingto and from said fan, of readily attachable and detachable means forfeeding said material in solid form into said air 3. In an apparatus fordusting or dry spraying comminuted solid insecticide material fordemothing furniture and the like, the combination with a domestic typevacuum cleaner including a high speed fan and an air passage leading toand from said fan, of means for feeding said insecticide material intosaid air passage ahead of the fan whereby the air stream will draw thematerial through the fan, and whereby the fan will -thoroughly reducesaid material to a finely divided state.

4. Apparatus for dusting or dry spraying comminuted insecticide materialfor demothing furniture and the like, comprising a domestic type vacuumcleaner including a high speed fan and air intake andk discharge ductscommunicating therewith, and means attached to the air intake duct forfeeding comminuted material into the air stream which passestherethrough when the fan is being operated, whereby said material willpass through the fan, and whereby the fan will thoroughly reduce saidmaterial to a finely divided state.

5. In an apparatus for dusting or dry spraying insecticide powders, thecombination with a differential pressure device, of means detachablyconnected with said device on the intake side of the fan thereof,providing a concentrated suction chamber communicating therewith, and

means for supplying comminuted insecticide ina-v terial into saidconcentrated suction chamber.

6. In an apparatus for dusting or dry spraying insecticide powders, thecombination with a differential pressure device having a high speed Ian,of means detachably connected with said y device on the intake side ofthe fan, providing a concentrated suction chamber communicatingtherewith, and means for supplying comminuted insecticide material intosaid concentrated suction chamber.

7. In an apparatus :for dusting or dry spraying insecticide powders, thecombination with a differential pressure device, of means detachablyconnected with the intake of said device providing a concentratedsuction chamber com-A municating therewith, and means for supplyingcomminuted insecticide material into said concentrated suction chamber.

8. In an apparatus for dusting or dry spraying comminuted insecticidematerial, the combination with a diierential pressure device, of aninsecticide material containing receptacle, means detachably connectingthe receptacle tothe suction `intake of said device and providing asuction passage from the receptacle to said intake,

and means for feeding the insecticide material from said receptacle intosaidsuction passage.

9. In an apparatus for dusting or dry spraying insecticide powders, thecombination with a differential pressure device, of means detachablyconnectedwith the intake of said device providing a concentrated suctionchamber communicating therewith, and means for supplying insecticidepowder into said concentrated suction chamber in a continuousuninterrupted stream.

10. Inan apparatus for dusting or dry spraying insecticide powders, thecombination with a' diierential pressure device, of an insecticidepowder containing receptacle, means detachably connecting the receptacleto the suction intake of said device and providinga suction passage fromthe .receptacle to said intake, and means for automatically feedingpowder from said receptacle to said suction passage ina continuousunindevice, comprising a hollow casing provided with an opening toregister with the intake of said device, means for detachably connectingsaid casing to said intake, and an insecticide powder containingreceptacle detachably connected to said casing.

12. Anattachment for a differential pressure device, comprising a hollowcasing provided with an opening to register with the intake of saiddevice, means for detachably connecting said cas,- ing vto said intake,an insecticide powder containing receptacleV detachably connected tosaid casing and arranged todischarge loose solid material thereinto, andmeans eiective by the suction currents in said casing for drawing thematerial from said receptacle into said casing in a continuousuninterrupted stream. 13. In combination with a differential pressuredevice, a powder dusting attachment therefor comprising a hollow casingremovably connected to the inlet of said device, and providing a suctionchamber therein, a receptacle attaching member connected therewithdetachably securing an insecticide containing receptacle, and means forestablishing suction communication from said receptacle to said casingfor continuously withdrawing powder from said receptacle.

14. Apparatus for dustingor dry spraying insecticide powders comprisinga differential pressure device, and means detachably connected with saiddevice providing a suction chamber, an insecticide receptacle having anorifice communicating with said chamber, and auxiliary air suction meansfor supplying comminuted insecticide material through said orifice.

l5. In-combination with a differential pressure device, having an airpassage, means for feeding comminuted insecticide material into saidpassage, including a receptacle for said material, provided with abottom having an orifice communicating with said air passage, and anauxiliary air inlet, independent of the inlet to said passage, extendinginto said receptacle and discharging near said orice, to maintain a flowof air through the orifice for feeding the materialy into the passage.

16. In an insecticide duster in combination with an adapter forattachment lto a suction intake opening of a differential pressuredevice; said adapter comprising a casing having an outletI leadingto-said suction intake opening, an inlet for admitting air to saidcasing, and an orice for admitting comminuted insecticide material andthe like to said casing; means surrounding said orifice constituting asupport for a loose material supply, and air suction means formaintaining a constant supply of material through said orice.

17. An attachment for a diierential pressure device having an airpassage, comprising a receptacle having a bottom provided with an oriceto communicate with said passage, a tubular spindle extending into saidreceptacle and constituting an auxiliary airinlet, discharging near saidorifice, and a distributor mounted on the spindle.

18. A device for disseminating comminuted solid volatile Amaterialcomprising a'casing, an

annular partition therein dividing the casing into upper and lowerchambers, the bottom of the casing having an orifice for communicationwith a moving airstream, an open ended tubular spindle extending throughthe top of the casing, through said annular partition and terminatingnear said orifice, and a distributor member mounted on said spindle andcooperating with the annular partition.

19. A device for disseminating comminuted solid volatile material,comprising a hopper having an apertured bottom Wall, a distributor shaftassembly extending through the top Wall of the hopper and including adistributor member cooperating with said apertured bottom, said top Wallhaving an eccentric charging opening, and a slide cover plate pivoted onsaid shaft assembly and rotatable against said top wall to cover oruncover said charging opening.

20. A device for disseminating comminuted solid volatile materialcomprising a hopper having an opening in its bottomy Wall, a spindleprojecting through the top wall ofthe hopper, a distributor membermounted on the spindle and coacting with said opening, and relativelyrotatable cam means carried by the upper end of the spindle and by thetop of the receptacle, respective- 1y, for adjusting the spindle axiallywhen rotated.

FREDERICK RIEBEL, Ja.

